No Atheists in Foxholes? I could care less.

by | November 12, 2014

national-war-memorial When the dust settled on the terrible attack on parliament last month, we noted with frustration the irksome phrase “no atheists in foxholes” appeared in a speech, otherwise moving in its call for unity in government, made by Green Party leader Elizabeth May shortly afterward. Its appearance early in an address that went on to warn against making (implied religious) assumptions is a sad and familiar irony. Her use of the phrase as analogous to the dissolving of partisanship, through a shared experience of mortal fear, into an implied “natural” state of common humanity is revealing, and particularly troubling.

For many this phrase is a harmless idiom, providing a convenient shorthand to convey the experience of having our armour fall at our feet – our human core exposed – at the threat of imminent death or calamity. Nontheists of all stripes, however, instantly recognize our implied exclusion from this shared human experience. As atheists, we are seen as standing a-positionally to some Thing (God); the threat of death is meant to strip us of our petty transgression, uniting us with our natural state: that of worship. Even as mere idiom, it shares the unfortunate trait of others in English, which convey meaning with confused inaccuracy: “I could care less.” “Quantum leap.” Because atheists, (appalled by “There just has to be something more!” – all this is not enough for you?!), refrain from curtailing the study of our universe in pursuit of eternal reward, in favour of learning all there is to learn, and revelling in the privilege of an evolved mind to ponder all its wonders. When we cry out at death – just like you – we taste the bitter sweetness of the leaving.

As this note is penned on Remembrance Day, in a country where veterans from every religion – and none – suffer painful neglect, and new recruits prepare for deployment, we’re reminded that, if diaries of frontline nurses are any indication, dying soldiers more often call for their mothers. It’s only natural. There are no orphans in foxholes. Please say that instead, next time, Ms. May, and repeat it, for the benefit of your fellow MPs, until it becomes shorthand for the shared responsibility we have for one another, regardless of piety, in times of duress. Let’s all say it together, until it sticks.

8 thoughts on “No Atheists in Foxholes? I could care less.

  1. dusttodust

    For the 2011 election, I read all the party documents provided on party websites. The ReformaCons was obviously soaked in religion. The Liberal and NDP made no mention of anything resembling religion that I could perceive. The Green’s mentioned acceptance and support of homeopathy. Now this. I had heard things about May’s religiosity but this is pretty glaring and insulting. No thanks Green’s.

    Reply
    1. Beth Wilks

      Here’s a link to the speech, which perhaps I should have included with my post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=996_9HTdvDg. You can see it appears as though said without thinking, like an unintentional gaffe (the stammered “I guess” at the beginning). I understand she’s an Anglican, at a very liberal church, but still, it’s concerning, and I hope the saying retires to the dustbin of military history, along with a bazillion other false pieties, from whence it came!

      Reply
    2. Danny Handelman

      Green parties, including the Green Party of Canada, tend to have the policy of not whipping votes of members. So, the position of the leader is of less importance than of the larger parties. I suspect green party voters and candidates are less religious than the general populace, partly due to my perception that environmentalism and religiosity are inversely correlated. In a survey transmitted to all of the federal candidates shortly before the 2011 federal election, green party candidates were most likely to respond (and identify as atheist).

      Reply
  2. George Hogan

    It is surly no surprise that politicians often say stupid things, however I for one am sick and tired of the discrimination I have endured as an atheist and she should sincerely apologize for her stupidity and insensitivity.

    Reply
  3. billybob

    I would guess that greens would have a lot of atheists. Atheists tend to accept science and this gives them a tendency be green and liberal.

    May is shooting herself in the foot.

    The green party accepts homeopathy? Say its not so.

    Reply
    1. Danny Handelman

      The federal electoral electoral district of Saanich–Gulf Islands contains a relatively high proportion of atheists. The other Green Party of Canada MP is unitarian.

      Reply
  4. Kirk klymchuk

    Time to step up Elizabeth May and apologize. The only thing that a politician understands is votes and public opinion. Insert a religions name into the sentence and the outcry would be massive. This is no different.

    Reply

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